<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MEDICAL ASSURANCE, INC. FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH
31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           674,816
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      39,058
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   11,546
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 792,840
<CASH>                                          12,649
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                             180,449
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,170,313
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                667,113
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            102,279
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  39,432
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,900
<OTHER-SE>                                     305,159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,170,313
<PREMIUMS>                                      41,342
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              9,611
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               1,029
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     366
<BENEFITS>                                      26,375
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      5,795
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                             4,877
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 15,301
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,849
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             11,452
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    11,452
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.49
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.49
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 480,750
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             39,626
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                              (13,250)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               2,805
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                17,656
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                486,664
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                        (13,250)
<FN>
<F1>DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS ARE NOT SEPARATELY DISCLOSED IN THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN FORM 10K BECAUSE THE AMOUNTS ARE IMMATERIAL.
SUCH AMOUNTS ARE INCLUDED AS A COMPONENT OF OTHER ASSETS.
</FN>